Doe a deer….

While I feel blessed to live in an area surrounded by woods and wildlife, I am sure the animals feel differently about my presence.  We frequently get the opportunity to watch a deer family travel through our yard or community.  I love to watch them.   Despite the dangers all around them, a doe will protectively guide her fawns through the uncertain terrain.  For deer, danger lurks everywhere.  They were not designed to live with man infringing on their territory as they do.  As communities grow, the dangers for deer grows.  Besides the fear of hunters, deer must worry about being harmed by humans in other ways.  I’m sure you’ve seen your fair share of the damage a vehicle can do to a beautiful, innocent animal.

Today I was thinking, that as Christians we live in a world that is not as it was designed.   When sin entered the world the paradise God had created was forever changed.   As Christians, like deer, we must always be alert to the dangers around us.  Today, those dangers include the internet, inappropriate images or information on television, foul language in the music we listen to, drugs, alcohol, and sometimes other people in our life.

We were not created to live in a sinful world.  But, like the deer have adapted to their current environment, we too must adapt.  We must filter the things we watch and listen to.   Sometimes we need to distance ourselves from unhealthy relationships.  We must be cautious about what we put into our bodies.

Yesterday as I watched a deer family dangerously close to humans and their damaging modes of transportation, I looked at the way the buck and doe were alert to the danger around them.  They were fairly close in proximity to one another, but each parent had an eye-line in the opposite direction of their fawn.   There eyes and ears were waiting for any signs that danger was eminent.  The boys and I sat watching the deer for a moment as we drove by and stopped at a stop sign.   As I was watched, I realized that it’s my job to be that careful and protective of my family.

I wonder if we, as parents and spousesm are as cautious about our environment as the deer were. Are we always on the lookout for things that could hurt or damage our children or spouses?  If not, why?

If you are married and/or have children you have the gift of helping your spouse and/or children to stay protected from the sin that is all around us.   Are you aware of the dangers that are tempting you today? What about the potential dangers around your children? Or spouse?

I’m not saying we need to put our family in a bubble. I’m not saying everything on television, on the radio, or the internet is bad. I’m just challenging you to be aware of the things that could possible hurt you, your family members, or your family as a whole.   We don’t need to be legalistic and get rid of all of these things from our home, but I do think it’s our job to be diligent and aware of the dangers present that could hurt our family.

What dangers do you see lurking inside and outside of your home that could potentially harm the safety of those you love? What can you do to protect them from these dangers?  What can you do to protect yourself?